The basketball movement in Da Nang has undergone quite radical changes over recent years. In its efforts to further develop this kind of sports, the city has hosted a number of major tournaments, attracting the participation of many strong basketball teams nationwide.

Trainees at the Da Nang Basketball Development Centre

Promoting extensive development

Since its establishment in 2017, the Da Nang Basketball Development Centre (BDC) has been considered as one of the city’s well-equipped fitness and sports centres thanks to its modern, refreshing and fully-equipped facilities, plus well-qualified trainers. Stars of the city’s basketball team are mostly trained at BDC.

Manager of BDC Nguyen Tuong Minh said that BDC has opened 3 basketball bases in the culture and sports centres in the districts of Thanh Khe and Son Tra, and at the Cam Le District-based Nguyen Khuyen Junior and Senior High School.

Every year, BDC promotes enrollment, especially in the school summer vacation, to seek and train young talents for the city’s basketball team.

“Currently, the centre has 300 trainees aged between 9 and 18. In order to train athletes of the highest quality, the centre has invited highly qualified coaches and assistants, including foreign ones” noted Mr. Minh.

In addition, every year, the centre coordinates with the municipal Department of Education and Training to organise basketball tournaments for students of all ages, with the aim to promote the development of basketball movements in schools as well as select excellent talents for the city’s basketball team.

Together with BDC, this summer, the Military Zone 5’s Basketball Centre has promoted enrollment and opened basketball classes with the frequency of 2 sessions/day.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Hung, who is a lecturer of the Faculty of Physical Education of the University of Da Nang and is teaching basketball at the centre, said that recent years have seen an increasing number of trainees at the centre. This summer alone, the centre has about 200 trainees.

“The centre provides its trainees with a healthy sports environment. Playing basketball helps them to improve motor coordination, flexibility, and endurance, as well as encourage speed, agility, and strength. They can practice in groups, and each group has a total of 15 people, led by a coach and an assistant" informed Mr. Hung.

Contributing to the spread of the basketball movement in the city cannot fail to mention the exciting activities of clubs at universities.

Nguyen Ngoc Khai, a member of the basketball club of the University of Science and Technology - the University of Da Nang, said that his club maintained regular activities 3 times a week.

In addition to participating in friendly matches with other clubs inside and outside the city, the club also competes in the University of Da Nang-hosted tournaments.

Many major basketball tournaments hosted

Since late April 2022, three basketball tournaments have been organised in Da Nang, all having the participation of the city’s basketball teams. These tournaments are the Viet Nam 3x3 Professional Basketball Tournament, the National U18 5x5 Basketball Championship 2022, and the Viet Nam 5x5 pro Basketball Tournament 2022.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Thao, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports, acknowledged that basketball movements have been developing strongly in the city, with the growing number of basketball players and learners.

In addition, basketball courts citywide have been built, embellished and effective put into operation.

“In the coming time, the department will continue to create the best conditions for basketball players to compete in municipal and national-level tournaments in a bid to maximise their abilities. Top priority will be given to host major tournaments in order to step by step make Da Nang become one of the localities nationwide where the basketball movements thrives " emphasised Mr. Nguyen Trong Thao.

Reporting by PHI NONG - Translating by M.DUNG